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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. BY body mind fprit Because of the high cost of medical care compared to the available funds in your bank account, SHAC is stressing the importance of medical insurance for all University of Utah students. If you don't have health insurance, you're gambling that you won't get sick or injured. Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002) show that in our age group (between I and 35 years of age), injuries occur more often than does illness. And considering that the average cost per day in a Utah hospital in 2000 was $1,603.86, can you afford not to have health insurance? According to an April 5, 2002 U.S. News and World Report article by Kevin Horan, "Christopher Phipps didn't think much about medical insurance when he applied to school at the University of Buffalo in New York. A student in linguistics, Phipps had never been in the hospital. He didn't bother reading his $7l7-a-yestudent insurance policy. Then, one day last year, he felt numbness in his fingers that later developed into severe pain in his hand. He was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his neck, requiring two bypass operations and five hospital stays. 'I never dreamed I'd have this kind of problem,' said Phipps, whose student health insurance policy paid just $25,000 of the $90,000 bill. With a yearly income from part-tim- e jobs of only $20,000, Phipps says there's no way he can pay off his debt, 'I'm currently preparing a bankruptcy filing.' When choosing a graduate school, most students, like Phipps, rank health insurance somewhere between diner and proximity to a good access to cheap on 1 ar So why POR STUDENTS' STUDENTS Emotional Health Physical Health Intellectual Health health insurance priority? and World Report continues "Unaccustomed to severe health problems, many students still harbor youthful illusions of invulnerability. And accustomed to relying on their parents' insurance, many don't read the fine print on the policies offered or even purchase insurance once they've enrolled. Most young adults get kicked off their parents' policies between the ages of 23 and 25. Each year many students lose the gamble and find themselves underinsured or uninsured, facing mountainous medical bills." U.S. News and World Report U.S. News 1 "...the average cost per day in a Utah hospital in 2000 was $1,603.86 II Social Health of annual coverage in order to be adequately prepared. Nora Wood, a recent graduate student in political science, chose to purchase the University of Utah's Student Health Insurance plan for herself and her family. y She appreciated the reasonable $ 0 Student Service Health at the (SHS). She was especially impressed with the quality of care given by the SHS staff and the fact that if she or one of her children were sick, she could call and get an appointment that day. She elaborated, "I was absolutely impressed with the ability of the nurse practitioners to diagnose things properly. They took the time to listen and my children felt comfortable with them. It was wonderful to know there was health care that my children trusted, and that trusted. If could have kept that insurance, I would have." If you do not currently have health insurance, SHAC recommends that you don't college students view as a 2002 5 I consider enrolling you already have medical insurance, BE SURE TO READ THE FINE PRINT. For example, what is your annual coverage? $50,000 by today's insurance standards is considered a minor sickness or injury plan. This amount might be inadequate if you require hospitalization for a serious illness, injury or pregnancy. You should have at least $250,000 If IE DID YOU KNOW? As a University of Utah co-pa- student you can receive medical care at the Student Health Service (SHS0 even if you don't have i Insurance is a social mecha nism established to provide financial security and protection against unforeseen and unexpected medical costs. I in the U's Student Health Insurance plan. For just $1.27 a day per semester (for a single student) you are covered "HEAD TO TOE" for $250,000. That's the price of a couple of candy bars or sodas and much less than a gourmet coffee. So be smart, don't gamble with your health, INSURE IT! 9f Spiritual Health "If Any U of U undergrad student enrolledwith a minimum of 6 credits, and any grad student enrolled with at least I credit, can buy the student health insurance plan. Prescriptions are covered up to $500 each year, after you pay your $50 deductible. Written by Gndy Wilmshurst, Graduate, MPH nr With the student insurance plan, you use the Student Health Service (SHS) for all of your primary health care and pay just $10 each visit and the insurance pays th( all-nig- ht campus housing." I ' a '1 1 a H a 1 l I Insur arc e EEADL USE Irfb rmafc on To assure continuous coverage, or to have retroactive coverage back to Deadline:To enroll in the U's Student Health Plan, go to www.gmsouthwest.com or call August 20, 2002, you must be enrolled and GM Southwest have your premium on or before September 20, 2002. All University of Utah students can receive medical care at the Student Health Service, which is conveniently located on campus in the Madsen Health Center. 585-694- 9. For more information about the Student Health Service, SHAC, or Head to Toe contact Council. Head to Toe Edited by: Brad Warlick and Rick Thompson 581-656- Sluiknl H"llh Adviory Commim 0. 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